Apple founding papers with Steve Jobs’ Signature up for auction

The legal papers that established Apple as a corporate entity in 1976, signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, and another contract, signed 11 days later that removed Wayne, are expected to land up to $150,000 when they are auctioned next week by Sotheby's.

"Because of Jobs being so focused on in the news, and his accomplishments, it just seemed like the right time," said Richard Austin, the head of the Books and Manuscripts department at Sotheby's.

"People have been reminded of how important and how influential he is - someone who contributed to technology and to social history and had such a profound impact."

The contract establishes the Apple Computer Company and states that Jobs and Steve Wozniak will each be given 45 percent of Apple's shares. Ronald Wayne, who drafted the contract, was given 10 percent.

But within days, Wayne had decided not be become involved with the fledgling technology company. Wayne was paid $800, and later another $1,500, and was released from the contract. His 10 percent share would today be worth $2 billion.

Jobs left Apple in 1984 following a power struggle with the company's board of directors but returned to the company in 1996. He would become the central figure in transforming Apple into one of the world's largest and most envied companies.

Wayne sold the documents to a private collector in 1994.

It was not immediately known if Apple was interested in bidding on the document.

"Wonderful things always sell and there are wonderful and unique things in this sale," Austin said.